EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 46/14/93

Distr: UA/SC

24 May 1993

Further information on EXTRA 45/93 (EUR 46/11/93, 13 May 1993) - Legal Concern

RUSSIA:Aleksandr Sergeyevich CHIZHIKOV

(in Russian Александр Сергеевич ЧИЖИКОВ)

Amnesty International has learned that Aleksandr Chizhikov's appeal is to be heard by Moscow City Court on 26 May 1993.

A pacifist conscientious objector, Aleksandr Chizhikov was sentenced to one year's imprisonment by a lower court on 21 April 1993 for refusing his call-up papers. Although the right to an alternative to military service is now enshrined in the Russian Constitution, no enabling legislation has yet been passed and conscription remains obligatory for young men aged between 18 and 27.

As Russian law provides no civilian alternative to military service, Amnesty International regards Aleksandr Chizhikov as a prisoner of conscience who should be released immediately and unconditionally.

At least two other conscientious objectors are appealing their sentences to Moscow City Court. If Aleksandr Chizhikov's sentence is overturned this could have a favourable impact on the outcome of other pending cases.

0FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters in English, Russian or your own language:

- urging the immediate and unconditional release of Aleksandr Chizhikov on the grounds that he is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned in violation of both the Russian Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of conscience;

- urging that no other people be prosecuted and imprisoned for refusing to perform military service on grounds of conscience;

- urging the introduction without delay of a law providing for a civilian alternative service, in line with Article 45 of the Russian Constitution.

APPEALS TO

1) General Valentin Georgievich Stepankov

Procurator-General of the Russian Federation

Kuznetsky most, 13

103760 g. Moskva K-31, Russia

Telegrams: Rossiya, 103760 Moskva, Generalnomu prokuroru Stepankovu V.G.

Faxes: + 095 292 88 98 (please add your country code for Russia)

Salutation: Dear Procurator-General

Page 2 of FU EXTRA 45/93

2) Ms Zoya Ivanovna Korneva

Chairperson of Moscow City Court

ul. Kalanchevskaya, 43

129010 g. Moskva, Russia

Telegrams: Rossiya, 129010 Moskva, Mosgorsud, Predsedatelyu Kornevoy Z.I.

Salutation: Dear Chairperson

3) Gennady Ponomarev

Procurator of Moscow City

ul. Novokuznetskaya, 23a

113184 g. Moskva, Russia

Telegrams: Rossiya, 113184 Moskva, Gor. Prokuroru Ponomarevu G.

Salutation: Dear Procurator

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

1) Vladimir Zorkin

Chairman of the Russian Federation

Constitutional Court

ul. Ilinka, 21

103132 g. Moskva

Russia

Faxes: + 095 206 92 15 (please add your country code for Russia)

2) Andrey Vladimirovich Kozyrev

Minister of Foreign Affairs of

the Russian Federation

Prospekt Mira, 49a

129110 g. Moskva

Russia

Faxes: + 095 230 24 08 (please add your country code for Russia)

3) Sergey Adamovich Kovalyov

Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee

Krasnopresnenskaya nab. 2

103274 g. Moskva

Russia

4) Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation

ul. Yermolovoy, 10a

103051 g. Moskva

Russia

and to diplomatic representatives of Russia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 28 May 1993.